CEOs are increasingly going virtual in their use of video to conduct meetings. One study shows they spend on average 18 hours of their 55-hour workweek tied up in meetings. But the real surprise was to learn was how many of those meetings were conducted virtually by many global organizations.

Integrated unified communications solutions are able to help CIOs and companies lower costs by minimizing telecommunications and conferencing costs, leveraging their existing network and building infrastructure, reducing facilities and equipment needs, and cutting employee travel and commutation expenses.

Telepresence, a high-end, high-definition form of videoconferencing—often combined with life-size images of remote participants displayed on one or more large screens—offers a higher level of intimacy than other forms of virtual communication. The technology promises to make virtual meetings attractive to even the highest-ranking.

Cisco is seeing mixed views from its customers around the world, Chief Executive John Chambers said in response to a question about global technology demand in an interview with CNBC.
Also See:Slower Global Demand Could Hurt Dell, HP